Louise Lovely was an Australian actor who is best known for Jewelled Nights, The Heart of the North, and The Social Buccaneer. With a career that spanned early silent films to prominent roles in the 1920s, she remains a notable figure in the history of Australian cinema.
Personal and Family Life
Born as Nellie Louise Corbasse on February 28, 1895, in Paddington, Sydney, Louise Lovely had a passion for performance from an early age. She made her stage debut at just 9 years old in a production of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Throughout her life, she was married twice, first to Wilton Welch from 1912 until their divorce in 1928, and then to Bert Cowan in 1930, who she remained with until his death in 1967.
Career Highlights
Louise Lovely is often regarded as Australia’s first international film star, making her mark in silent films and American cinema. She initially worked with Universal Studios, where her name was famously changed by the studio head Carl Laemmle, who recognized her talent. Although her Hollywood career faced challenges after her contract ended, she returned to Australia and co-produced “Jewelled Nights” in 1925, solidifying her legacy in Australian film history.
Death and Legacy
Louise Lovely passed away on March 17, 1980, in Taroona, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. In recognition of her contributions to cinema, the Australian Film Institute named their equivalent of the Oscars “The Lovelys” in her honor in 2000. Her influence continues to be felt in the Australian film industry, where she is celebrated as a pioneer.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Heart of the North | 1921-09-09 | Patricia Graham |
| Bettina Loved a Soldier | 1916-08-14 | Bettina Scott |
| Bobbie of the Ballet | 1916-06-12 | Bobbie Brent |
| The Gilded Spider | 1916-05-08 | Leonita / Elisa |
| The Grasp of Greed | 1916-07-17 | Alice Gordon |
| The Measure of a Man | 1916-11-20 | Pattie Batch |
| The Gift Girl | 1917-03-26 | Rokaia |
| Sirens of the Sea | 1917-09-20 | Lorelei |
| A Rich Man’s Darling | 1918-04-15 | |
| The Wolf and His Mate | 1918-01-07 | Bess Nolan |
| The Field of Honor | 1917-06-11 | Laura Sheldon |
| The Last of the Duanes | 1919-09-14 | Jenny Lee |
| Jewelled Nights | 1925-10-24 | Elaine Fleetwood |
| The Skywayman | 1920-09-05 | Virginia Ames |
| The Social Buccaneer | 1916-10-16 | Marjorie Woods |
| Nobody’s Wife | 1918-03-04 | Hope Ross |
| Painted Lips | 1918-02-04 | Lou McTavish |
| The Butterfly Man | 1920-04-18 | Bessie Morgan |
| The Grip of Jealousy | 1916-02-28 | Virginia Grant |
| Tangled Hearts | 1916-04-02 | Vera Lane |
| The Reed Case | 1917-07-09 | Helen Reed |
| The Lone Star Ranger | 1919-06-29 | Ray Longstreth |
| While the Devil Laughs | 1921-02-13 | Mary Franklin |
| The Poverty of Riches | 1921-11-01 | Grace Donaldson |
| Blood Money | 1917-01-06 | Belle Blaire |
| The Outlaw and the Lady | 1917-02-10 | Ruth Carter |
| Shattered Idols | 1922-02-06 | Diana Chichester |
| The Old Nest | 1921-06-28 | Kate at 21-31 |